Palmtop Computers — A Physicians Portable Information Manager

摘要

Medical Informatics has developed to better allow health care providers access to information needed to provide quality health care. Palmtop computers can help reach that goal by providing information access and management tools to the busy physician.Advances in electronics have allowed miniaturization of computers to pocket-size. This allows physicians to have access to information stored in them from any location. We have developed software to run on a palmtop computer that organizes and integrates information needed by a busy clinician. It allows the physician to have access to information at the time and place of care. The software package integrates information sources to allow non-linear, task-oriented access. Our software also handles reminders for follow-up and to-do lists of physician tasks, freeing the physician to concentrate on the current task.Our system demonstrates the enormous potential for palmtops to manage the rapidly growing base of information physicians need. Palmtop technologies on the horizon, such as wireless communications and pen interfaces, will make these indispensable clinical tools in the future.